Where and How

A refrigerator is a useful appliance that can be found in almost every home. Although these machines seem strong and sturdy, they can often break down. This is because there are numerous components that all work together to keep a fridge running, so when one of these parts break down, it will affect the entire machine. Fixing refrigerators can be an expensive process, but it will be much cheaper if you learn how to do it yourself.

How Refrigerators Work

Most people think that a fridge cools down objects, but it actually takes heat away from them. When gases go from a high pressured atmosphere to a low pressured one, the temperature will drop. Each refrigerator has a closed system of tubing and a compressor that holds the gas. The compressor is one of the most expensive parts of a fridge and also the most likely to break down. The gas flows through the coils and to an expansion area inside the freezer section.

A fan is situation inside the tubing to circulate the air while the refrigerant gas is cooling everything down. Most people think that the fan is blowing cold air in, but the fan is actually working to pump the heated air out. The cooled air from many refrigerators is pumped from the freezer. A thermostat inside the fridge will activate the compressor once the temperature is higher than the pre-set level.

When the air in a fridge cools, the process causes condensation to accumulate. Water that condenses inside will turn into frost if the temperature is low enough. Some modern models may have a defroster that prevents any frost from building up. A defroster is a simple heating device that is controlled by a thermostat and timer.

Moving a Fridge

If your fridge is broken, you will likely need to move it either so you can fix it yourself or take it to a repair shop. When moving a fridge, there are some precautions you should take to prevent it from getting broken further. Never try to move it by yourself, find an assistant with a strong arm and good back. Tipping the machine can also be dangerous because it can cause severe injuries if it falls on you. Never carry a fridge down or up staircases without at least two able bodied people.

Different fridges have various numbers and styles of shelves. For most models, the shelves should be taken out, taped up, and placed somewhere safe. Any loose shelves will create a risk of them bouncing around inside and potentially breaking the door if they fall through. Also remember to take out any cubbies, drawers, ice cube trays, and ice buckets.

The doors can easily fly open during transportation, so you’ll want to secure it with tape or a moving strap. Make sure you do not tighten the straps to much or it may put pressure on the door alignment. If the refrigerators needs to be off for more than one day, you should keep the doors open slightly to prevent mildew from building up inside. Try wedging a cloth or towel between the door and frame to allow air circulation. This allows air to travel inside the compartments but will still prevent the door from flying wide open.

Do not lay a refrigerator on its side. This is because the oil inside the compressor may flow into the cooling lines. This can cause problems in the cooling system once the machine has been returned to an upright position. If the machine must be laid over, make sure that it is not lying completely flat. Place an object under the top section to keep it at a tilt so the oil will not leak into other areas. Once you have reached your destination, leave it for a few hours before turning the power back on.

Advice and Tips to Prevent Broken Parts

A refrigerator can consume large amounts of electricity, but newer fridges usually cost less than older models. It may save you more money to purchase a new model instead of having to pay high bills from an outdated system. The ideal temperature is about zero to five degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer and thirty six degrees for the fridge.